1 a long stick with a padded piece at the top that fits under a person’s arm — usually plural

Note: People who have difficulty walking often use crutches to help them walk.

• He’s able to walk short distances with crutches but prefers his wheelchair.
• I was on crutches[=I was using crutches to walk] for six weeks after I broke my leg.

2 usually disapproving : something that a person uses too much for help or support

• She eventually realized that alcohol had become a crutch. [=that she was drinking too much alcohol as a way of dealing with her problems]